Why Sesame Farming is a Good Alternative to Paddy as Second Crop

Sesame is an important oil-yielding crop having an oil content of 40-50% and is popularly known as Gingelly or Til. It is cultivated as a Kharif crop in India. The sesame seeds powder & its oil are used in various Indian dishes as a flavoring agent. 

It has been found that the area under sesamum- cultivation has been rising for the past three seasons and the farmers are getting the benefits. Although it took him some time to feel confident about the crop and because of good past experience, this year too they’re likely to increase the area under the crop.

The Centre government has clearly expressed its views and made it clear that it was not possible to purchase all Paddy grown in the state. The State government has been motivating the farming community to shift from paddy cultivation and advised all agricultural officers to generate awareness among farmers. 

At numerous places, farmers are asking the visiting officials directly about the alternate crops and about their marketability and future prospects. Another question that arises in their mind is: will they get the minimum support price (MSP) if they shift the crop? However, in many instances, the officials haven’t been able to give satisfactory answers.

Story of Havappa, a Progressive Farmer:

Havappa, a progressive farmer has no confusion about what crops to sow as a second crop as he has a little adventurous nature. He has regularly interacted with Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) Gandla Santosh, who told how the input cost could be considerably lower.

He decided to sow sesamum in 10 guntas. After the satisfactory result, he increased it to half an acre, and last year he cultivated sesamum in one acre. That’s really inspiring.

“Initially, the farmer was hesitant to take up sesamum but after persuasion, he has accepted it. Now he is happy & ready to cultivate this as the second crop,” Santosh said.

According to Havappa, the cultivation of sesamum in one acre costs about Rs 4,900, including tilling land, seed, fertilizers, and labor cost. The yield is about 480 bags of sesamum and the net profit was Rs 52,700 after removing the expenditure cost. In the first year the profit was Rs 13,275 followed by Rs 28,000 in the second year.

He told, “The input cost is very less and the profit is considerably high. For the previous three years my experience is impressive. I’ll go for the same crop next season as well”. 

Benefits of Sesame Seeds: 

Sesame seeds are considered a good source of protein, antioxidants, minerals, healthy fats, B vitamins, fiber, and other beneficial plant compounds. By taking sesame seeds regularly may help in combating arthritis pain, blood sugar control, and lower cholesterol.